2015-01-10MIKE DAVIDSON:Installation was simple following the instructions. The switch was mounted to a flat surface. Additional wire or cable is needed between the switch and the batteries. Installation this time was on a pontoon boat which did not require use of battery cables but a large gauge wire. Make sure the wire or cable size matches the largest wire size from the battery. Other installations were put in emergency vehicles.

2014-05-12A shopper asked:My boat has two batteries. Both engines (main and kicker) start on position 1 I need to charge no.2 battery which operate downriggers and pot puller. What position should I run on?

+Expand Answers

2014-05-12MICHAEL TAYLOR:You should have one battery running through position one, and the other battery running through position two. You can isolate one battery for just starting your main engine and one battery for your other equipment. Connect your charging leads from your main engine to each battery. this way both batteries are charging any time your main engine is running. The purpose of the switch is to use just one battery for starting only and you will never run your start battery down operating your other equipment so you will never be left dead in the water with a low battery to start your engine. and if your start battery ever is low you can switch to both batteries for extra amperage to get a start.

2014-05-12PAUL LEBEL:I can't answer that. I have not yet installed mine. I know there is a way to do that but I can't tell you from experience. I suggest you call perko.

2014-04-23A shopper asked:Once you leave the boat for the weekend and do not plan to use it again until next weekend, should you leave in the OFF, ON 1 Battery or ON 2 Batteries? The boat is a 26 footer and it is tied tot he dock with no shore power.

+Expand Answers

2014-04-24NEAL BRUCE:Keep the thought of having bilge pumps powered.

2014-04-05A shopper asked:How should I connect the ground of 2 batteries to an aluminum boat?

+Expand Answers

2014-04-05PAUL LEBEL:I don't have an answer. I have never done that.

2014-04-07MICHAEL TAYLOR:If the boat is an inboard, the engine is always the ground. if it is inboard then the 12 volt system is an isolated circuit and is grounded to the batteries them self on the negative post of nay battery in the circuit.

2014-04-07MICHAEL TAYLOR:I said inboard on second engine description, it is outboard for the ground to neg of battery system...

2014-02-17A shopper asked:Can you charge both of your batteries at once by putting switch to the All position?

+Expand Answers

2014-02-17BARRY OKSMAN:Have not installed yet, will do so this spring. I do believe you can charge both batteries at the same time.

2014-02-17PAUL LEBEL:I don't know. I have not installed mine yet. I would think the answer is yes.

2014-02-18Steve Johnson:Yes in the all position you will be charging both batteries at the same time however this is not a good thing.
If battery one or two is weak the alternator will sense this and bang lots of amps to both batteries which will fry them.
I would run on one battery saving the other for an emergency and then alternate between the two positions every so often.
When you operate on the all position you are only as strong as the weakest battery.

2013-06-11A shopper asked:I bought an older boat with the perko switch how should I run the settings?

+Expand Answers

2013-06-12john hubka:I usually have the switch on the #1 battery most of the time. I switch over to battery #2 when we park at a sand bar for swimming and socializing with other boaters and we are running the radio and other electrical items. This way the main battery doesn't get run down and we get stuck. I then leave it on #2 battery for a while to recharge it before going back to #1. Hope this helps you out.
John

2013-03-10DOUG BROOKS asked:I have an RV with 4-12 volt batteries. I want to tie two batteries together to increase my amp hours and have each pair of batteries on a separate selector switch #. Will this switch work to separate each pair of batteries and can I switch it to all for maximum amp hours if desired?

2012-12-18A shopper asked:do both batteries charge when the switch is on 1 or 2 or does it have to be on "all" to charge both batteries?

2012-06-12A shopper asked:What is the difference between an onboard charging system( the ones in magzines that are 150-200 dollars) and just buying a perko swith and leaving it on "all" while you are riding and keep the batteries charged?

+Expand Answers

2012-07-16RICHARD RAMSEY:Nothing except the 150 200 chargers are working to charge batteries when the boat circuit is off and engines not running

2012-04-30A shopper asked:How do I wire this switch for 2 batteries??? I got it with a boat I bought but it only has one battery..
Thanks

+Expand Answers

2012-05-07JAMES FEATHERSTONE:This switch is designed for 2 batteries. It has a common ground for both batteries, and a pole for each positive. Switching to "1" or "2" comples the stated connection - or you can run both at the same time.

2012-05-14JESTIN ALLEN:First run your main power wire to the common. Then ground your 1 battery n put the power wire on side 1. Last ground your 2 battery n put the power wire on side 2.

I had a boat sink in salt water and every electronic device with voltage on it was ruined. Devices with no power were rinsed and dried then re-used.With this switch not only can I remove all power when the boat is not in use but I can use the main battery or my trolling battery or both batteries to start the boat engine. I also bypass the switch for several accessories by using relays (activated by the Perko output) to isolate the power.